GOSPEL OF WORK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16895, 27 November 1925, Page 8

GOSPEL OF WORK.

CROWN MINISTER’S ENA Mi’Ll-

TO CREATE INTELLIGENCE

“What is the object of education after all—why do we spend millions of pounds in training our children?’’

asked I lie .Minister of Education, Sir .lames Parr, addressing a large gathering at the official opening of the new Epsom School, Auckland, lasi week. ■‘Well,” In 1 proceeded, “the answer is a plain one. I am out, with, the help of the Department and the e.iucationnl authorities, to try and attain fur New Zealand the fame of having iiie

most intelligent people in the world — a claim that has, in fact, been already put forward bv my friend. (Sir Ernest Rutherford, Ihe greaiost of all New Zealanders, who, addressing a gathering at New Plymouth, said Hiat. according to our population, we have the most intelligent people in the Empire, and probably in the world.

“I claim,” said the Minister, “that our school system is responsible for this standard. By training the brains of our young people, we have created a. high level of general intelligence. If you ask me why this school exists, I would say, to put it in plain English, ‘to teach the children to think clearly.’ That may not be the text book definition, but it is good enough for aie. (Applause.) For this reason we have departed from the old stereotyped methods of ‘cram.’ We seek to cultivate the peculiar attributes and develop the peculiar intelligence of the individual along natural lines. If we ctin send from our schools a body of youth trained with a taste for reading a good hook, or even a good newspaper, and with qualities trained to think for themselves upon what they read or hear, then wo will achieve much of what may he expected in a national system of education. (Applause.) MUST WORK HARD. “I have another word for the children, nearly 700 of whom stand before me mnv,” continued >Sir James. “My little ones, wo are 1 eying to make your lives much more pleasant in school '.han was the case when l went to school. We give you much more freedom and teach you in a much more interesting way; wc- want each- boy anil girl lo leave school with regret. But. mark one thing and mark it well; although. the path 'is made much more easy for you than it was for those of the days gone by. I beg of you to remember that you can do little for yourselves and the community in this world unless you work hard. 1 preach the gospel of work all the time, and,” said the Minister, modestly, “I hope my life has furnished some evidence that I endeavor to practice what 1 preach. (Applause.) “Tho old virtues of hard work, thoroughness, neatness and concentration on our tasks —these virtues are more necessary to-day than ever,” concluded Sir James, who then formally declared the school lo be opened. Cheers were given for the Minister.

Tho new school is situated in line grounds of over four acres in area, and provides for a roll of 635 children and 16 teachers. The building is constructed of concrete blocks and tiles manufactured by prison labor. The structure is two-storeyed, and contains eight large class-rooms, with a six-fool corridor, and separate offices for teachers and headmaster. It cost £II,OOO. The main portion of the old school, il will be remembered, was destroyed by fire on February 11, 1923, and a grant was made by the Government without loss of time for reconstruction. Before the work could be put in band, however, a second live destroyed the remainder of the building. Since the lire, the school grounds have been greatly improved and they are still receiving attention front a live committee.